Hurricane Preparation Tips

​With Hurricane season spanning from June to November, being prepared is important to ensure the safety of you. your family and your home. Some of these tips can be done way ahead of a storm, saving you stress and avoid the large crowds.

1. Prepare 10 days worth of essential supplies to sustain you household. 1
2. Create a family communication plan that identifies alternative ways of staying in touch. 2
3. Make sure your tank is full far in advance of an approaching storm. Most people wait until the last minute, rush to get extra gas for cars and generators, and subsequently gas stations can run out early. 3
4. Have extra cash on hand in the event ATMS or "Cash Back" option at stores in your area are inaccessible or not available. 4
5. Get a solar battery pack for your cellphone. Make sure it is fully charged before the storm.  Charge your cell phone and limit use after power is out. 5
6. Here is a great day by day checklist as a hurricane approaches, counting out from 5 days outs to when it hits. 6
7. Be sure to secure any loose items outside of your home. Scan your yard and bring all heavy items indoors, such as patio furniture, potted plants, bicycles, loose rain gutter and downspouts, tools, children’s toys, and anything else of this nature. 7
8. Before an approaching storm, take a day to trim the trees in your yard (or hire a professional). 8
9. Take an inventory of your home. Spend a weekend photographing and documenting your valuables.  You will be able to rebuild and garner money for your losses quicker than if you don’t have an inventory. 9
10. Put together a go-bag: disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate. 10

​Sources:
1) https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4339/hurricane-preparedness
2) https://www.care.com/c/stories/1364/how-to-create-a-family-communication-plan-for/
3) http://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/hurricane-preparedness-guide.aspx
4) http://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/hurricane-preparedness-guide.aspx
5) http://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/hurricane-preparedness-guide.aspx
6) http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weather/hurricane/guide/fl-hurricane-checklist-20170509-story.html
7) https://energyair.com/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-hurricane-season/
8) https://energyair.com/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-hurricane-season/
9) https://energyair.com/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-hurricane-season/
10) https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes